2017 August - Pro Football Rumors

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/12/17

August 12th, 2017 at 8:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are today’s minor moves.

Ryan Tannehill‘s season is officially over. The Dolphins placed the quarterback on IR and signed linebacker Junior Sylvestre. Tannehill, who will have knee surgery next week, is expected to be ready for the 2018 season. Sylvestre spent time with the Ryan Grigson-era Colts for two years but was cut after Indianapolis’ 2016 training camp. He signed with the Bills earlier this year but was cut after a month.
The Panthers signed defensive lineman Connor Wujciak, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Wujciak was an Eagles UDFA signing on in 2016, but an injury wiped out his would-be rookie season. The Chiefs worked out Wujciak last week. Panthers defensive tackle Vernon Butler will miss some time, Ron Rivera revealed Friday — via David Newton of ESPN.com — opening the door for an extra defensive line opportunity. Rivera said Butler’s target date for a return is Week 1. The Panthers waived defensive tackle Drew Iddings with an injury designation to open a roster spot, Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer reports (on Twitter).
Carolina also brought back offensive lineman Brian Folkerts, Person reports. The Panthers made room by cutting offensive lineman Tyrus Thompson, who had spent time with them since last season (Twitter links). A three-year backup blocker who played in 16 games for the 2014 Panthers, Folkerts last played for the 2015 Rams. Los Angeles cut him when paring its roster down to 75 players last summer.
Cornerback Jumal Rolle signed with the Bills and will replace Charles James, whom the team released, Joe Buscaglia of WKBW reports (on Twitter). Both players have at least two years’ experience and both previously played for the Texans. The 27-year-old Rolle was a Houston UDFA in 2014 and has played in 18 games. Rolle also intercepted three passes as a rookie before becoming mostly a special teams player in the time since. James played in 21 games with Houston between the 2015-16 seasons; Buffalo claimed him on waivers in May.
The Broncos relocated defensive lineman Billy Winn to IR after his ACL tear diagnosis emerged Friday. They signed linebacker Nelson Adams, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports.
Linebacker Reshard Cliett negotiated an injury settlement with the Chiefs, becoming a free agent after being removed from Kansas City’s IR list, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports (on Twitter).
The Giants waived linebacker Jimmy Herman, whom they signed Friday. James Kratch of NJ.com tweets Herman was given a “left squad” designation.
The Saints and linebacker Sae Tautu agreed on an injury settlement to trigger Tautu’s release from New Orleans’ IR, Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com tweets.
Rookie wide receiver Keevan Lucas signed a three-year contract with the Eagles, the team announced. Philadelphia waived linebacker Steven Daniels to make room. A Tulsa product, Lucas declared early but was not signed by a team after the draft.
Washington signed wide receiver Jamari Staples and waived/injured left tackle Kevin Bowen, per John Keim of ESPN.com. The Chiefs waived Staples in June after initially signing him in May. The Redskins also placed Trent Murphy on IR. Murphy tore his ACL in Washington’s preseason opener Thursday night.

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Wolfe, Downing

August 12th, 2017 at 6:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos have lost some key auxiliary performers in recent weeks. Outside linebackers Shane Ray and Shaquil Barrett could both be sidelined past Week 1, and defensive line rotation cog Billy Winn is out for the season after tearing an ACL. Denver’s offense received some bad news as well. Third-round pick Carlos Henderson will undergo thumb surgery that will shelve him for at least the remainder of the preseason and possibly into the regular season, Mike Klis of 9News reports. Henderson suffered the injury during the Broncos’ August opener against the Bears.

The Louisiana Tech standout was vying to become Denver’s No. 3 wide receiver but was struggling during camp. The Broncos were using Henderson at kick returner in Chicago. Henderson’s injury will create openings for incumbent pass-catchers Cody Latimer, Bennie Fowler and Jordan Taylor in the coming weeks while potentially limiting the rookie’s assimilation.

Here’s the latest out of Denver and other AFC West cities.

It doesn’t look like Derek Wolfe will be undergoing surgery, but the sixth-year defensive end will likely be out for a few weeks. An ankle injury forced Wolfe to be carted off the practice field Saturday, but Wolfe informed ESPN.com’s Josina Anderson (Twitter link) he should be good to go for Week 1. That said, Denver’s left defensive end told Anderson his ankle is badly sprained and has a “slight tear.” Pending further examination, the Broncos do not believe this is a serious injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN tweets. Wolfe tweeted a picture of the afflicted ankle as well.
New Raiders offensive coordinator Todd Downing received the backing of mentor Mike Tice when it came time for Jack Del Rio to choose between Downing and previous OC Bill Musgrave. Tice helped bring Del Rio and Musgrave — who worked together for two years in Jacksonville — back together in 2015. But the Oakland offensive line coach agreed with Del Rio that losing Downing to a team that wanted him as OC wouldn’t be a smart move, Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Tice oversaw Downing’s work when he was the Vikings’ head coach during the 2000s, eventually giving Downing his first coaching job in 2005. Musgrave’s contract was not renewed, and the longtime assistant is coaching the Broncos’ quarterbacks.
Tafur adds the close relationship between Downing and Derek Carr helped influence the decision and previously dictated the Sunday arrangements last season. Downing coached Carr on the sidelines while Musgrave operated from the booth. Carr said, via Tafur, he will have more freedom to improvise under Downing than he did in two seasons under Musgrave. However, this season will be the 37-year-old Downing’s first time calling plays at any level since he helped coach a Minneapolis-area ninth-grade team in 2002, Tafur adds.
Recently added offensive lineman Allen Barbre is competing with Max Garcia for the Broncos‘ starting left guard position, Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post notes. Barbre has played both guard and tackle in his career but worked with the first unit in practice and could see time with the starters in Denver’s second preseason game, per Jhabvala. Garcia and Michael Schofield were the Broncos’ starters last season. Ronald Leary is the new right guard.
Ray’s target date for a return from wrist surgery is Week 3, when the Broncos make their first road trip of the season in a venture to Buffalo, Jhabvala reports. Former Saints edge defender Kasim Edebali and Vontarrius Dora are the top candidates to start opposite Von Miller come Week 1, should Barrett not make it back by then.
Chargers rookie Mike Williams is “running” and “doing well,” per Anthony Lynn, but remains without a firm timetable.

Packers Re-Sign LS Brett Goode

August 12th, 2017 at 5:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Brett Goode spent the past nine seasons as the Packers’ long snapper and will have a chance to belatedly compete for that role this season. Goode will take Letroy Guion‘s roster spot.

Goode will compete with rookie Derek Hart for Green Bay’s long-snapping responsibilities. The 32-year-old Goode played in every Packers game except for two since the start of the 2008 season. A former UDFA out of James Madison, Hart signed with the Packers in late March. His last season with the Dukes came in 2014, but the Packers pact represented his first NFL contract.

The Packers have used this tactic before. They signed Goode just before the start of last season, and he snapped in all 19 Green Bay games. So Hart will be fighting an uphill battle in terms of experience before roster cutdown day.

Dolphins Rumors: Tannehill, Pouncey, LBs

August 12th, 2017 at 4:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

Adam Gase expects Ryan Tannehill to “absolutely” be ready for the 2018 season, the second-year coach said Saturday (via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald). Tannehill made the decision to undergo reconstructive knee surgery to repair a partially torn left ACL. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reported the Dolphins expect Tannehill to be back by the time they convene for training camp next summer. Gase said the sixth-year quarterback told him of the surgery decision in the past few days; it became final on Friday night. Tannehill will rehab with the Dolphins and at other facilities, Gase said. He was at Dolphins practice Saturday aiding Jay Cutler‘s assimilation, per Beasley.

Here’s the latest coming out of south Florida.

The Dolphins are monitoring the UFA linebacker market after Raekwon McMillan was lost with a torn ACL, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports. This study will continue for a few weeks, Jackson said, until it’s determined if backup middle linebacker Mike Hull can handle the job. Jackson notes the Dolphins would also be open to adding a ‘backer via trade. Jackson adds Hull or an outside addition will be summoned for base-defense duty, since Lawrence Timmons and Kiko Alonso will be the Fins’ second-level cogs in nickel sets. This is Hull’s third season with the Dolphins. The ex-UDFA played in 16 games last season and started one. Gase said he likes the trio of Alonso, Timmons and Hull together. But that’s not set yet, it appears.
Mike Pouncey returned to 11-on-11 work for the first time since suffering the hip injury that shelved him for all but five games last season, Jackson reports. The three-time Pro Bowler had done individual work leading up to the return to team drills. A decision hasn’t been made if Pouncey will play in the preseason, but the 28-year-old snapper said he has no doubt he’ll return for Week 1.
Jay Ajayi suffered a concussion on July 31 and hasn’t returned to practice. The third-year running back remains in concussion protocol, Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk reports. Smith notes the Dolphins would like to have Ajayi play some with Cutler in the preseason so the duo can begin to develop a rapport, but it’s uncertain when Ajayi will return. Miami did not make any major additions to its backfield corps this offseason. The team has Kenyan Drake and Damien Williams behind Ajayi.

RB Notes: Crowell, Freeman, Steelers

August 12th, 2017 at 2:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

Devonta Freeman‘s five-year, $41.25MM deal pleased Isaiah Crowell, who recently hired Drew Rosenhaus to handle negotiations for a potential Browns extension. The fourth-year Cleveland running back said he spent a few days analyzing the Falcons back’s deal.

“I mean, you’re going to think about it,” Crowell said, via Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. “It’s just obvious that you think about it. I feel like it’s great for him. I feel like he’s a great player and he deserves it. I feel like he changed the market. I feel like it’s a great deal for him and I feel like it’s just a great deal for all the running backs who are out here right now that deserve to get paid.”

The 24-year-old Crowell said Rosenhaus and the Browns were in “heavy negotiations” when the agent visited Browns camp in Berea, Ohio, a few weeks ago. Rosenhaus did not confirm that, via Cabot. Crowell is coming off a career-best 952-yard rushing season and stands to run behind an improved offensive line in 2017. Acknowledging he’s angling for that second contract, Crowell also wants to be known as a top-five back.

“I know my time is coming. I’m just being patient and just stay working and keep working hard and just trying to be the best I can be. … “It’s time for that to change,” Crowell said of being left out of the elite running backs conversation. “That’s why I’m just trying to go out here and prove myself, just each and every play when I’m out there on the field, so that won’t be the case.”

Here’s the latest on the running back market.

Freeman’s Falcons deal comes with $17MM fully guaranteed and injury guarantees throughout the first three years of the contract, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports. Bonuses will cover most of the next three years, with Freeman set to earn base salaries of $1.3MM (2017), $2MM (’18) and $3.75MM (’19). His bases rise to $6.5MM in 2020, $6.25MM in 2021 and $8.25MM in 2022, per Florio. The Falcons likely strongly suggested to Freeman they wouldn’t use the franchise tag on him in 2018, Florio writes, and taking the new-money average of $8.25MM per year protects him from an injury diminishing his value on the open market. Freeman would have been a 26-year-old UFA come March and on a salary cap that could push $180MM next year, meaning he possibly could have earned more on the open market. But the running back market has not been as fruitful as it once was, likely leading to Freeman accepting this offer while it was on the table.
The Steelers could sweeten Le’Veon Bell‘s $12.1MM franchise tag arrangement by adding salary, more signing bonus or incentives to entice the holdout running back to return to work, Florio writes. The sides missed the extension window and can’t resume talks until after the season, though, and Florio wonders if the Steelers’ hardball tactics with Bell will backfire. Kevin Colbert called out Bell earlier this week for what he deems a flawed holdout strategy, and Florio notes this could cause Bell — who is within his rights to not report since he can’t be fined under the present circumstances — to strengthen his resolve regarding this matter.
Freeman did well to secure a $15MM signing bonus — or 70 percent of the value of his deal’s first three years — in his second Falcons contract, Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap writes. LeSean McCoy‘s signing bonus represented 48 percent of his take-home pay over the first three years of his Bills deal, Fitzgerald notes, illustrating this component of Freeman’s pact as a clear win.

Vikings Sign RB Bronson Hill

August 12th, 2017 at 1:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

After working out running backs David Cobb and Bronson Hill earlier on Saturday, the Vikings decided to sign Hill, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports (on Twitter).

Hill will have an uphill battle toward cracking the Vikings’ 53-man roster, with Latavius Murray, Dalvin Cook and Jerick McKinnon under contract. But Hill, an Eastern Michigan alum who’s been in the NFL since 2015, still has practice squad eligibility. The team did not sign Cobb, a University of Minnesota alum and former Titans fifth-round pick.

The 24-year-old Hill played in three games with the Jaguars last season and has just two career carries, but Tomasson reports (on Twitter) he was going to work out for the Falcons next week if not signed by the Vikings. Hill has bounced around the league during the past three preseasons, with the Bengals, Bills, Bears, Dolphins and Saints having him on their respective rosters briefly before he caught on in Jacksonville.

Minnesota lost reclamation project Bishop Sankey to a torn ACL on Friday. The team waived the former second-round pick to make room. Sankey, who hasn’t played in a game since 2015, will revert to Minnesota’s IR list once he clears waivers.

Buccaneers Waive Roberto Aguayo

August 12th, 2017 at 11:26am CST by Ben Levine

It looks like the Buccaneers’ kicking competition has already been decided. Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports (via Twitter) that the team has waived kicker Roberto Aguayo. Assuming he isn’t claimed, the organization will owe the player $428K (via ESPN’s Field Yates on Twitter).

The Buccaneers (in)famously traded up in the second-round of the 2016 draft to select the Florida State product, surrendering a third- and fourth-rounder to make the pick. Aguayo struggled mightily during his rookie campaign, connecting on a league-worst 71-percent of his field goals.

Those struggles continued during the team’s first preseason game on Friday night. Aguayo did connect on one field goal, but he also missed a 47-yard attempt and an extra point. After the game, coach Dirk Koetter sounded like his patience was wearing thin.

“You know, I keep saying it, I can’t say it anymore. If you’re a kicker, you’ve got to make your kicks,” Koetter said (via Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com).

Aguayo is only 23-years-old, so there’s still a chance that he could develop into a competent kicker. As NFL.com’s Albert Breer pointed out (via Twitter), former second-rounder Mike Nugent struggled mightily before ultimately finding his own in Cincinnati.

As Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times cleverly noted on Twitter, the Buccaneers are now all but assuring that they’ll have a new primary kicker for the sixth straight season. The team will be turning to veteran Nick Folk, who joined the organization back in March. The veteran spent the past seven years with the Jets, and he set a franchise record with a 81.3 career field goal percentage (he also ranks second in franchise history in total points).

While the 32-year-old struggled earlier in his career, he’s been rather consistent over the past few years, connecting on at least 80-percent of his field goals over the past four seasons. Folk is also extremely reliable on extra point attempts, as the veteran has only missed a pair of his 337 career attempts.

Vikings To Work Out David Cobb, Bronson Hill

August 12th, 2017 at 10:44am CST by Ben Levine

The Vikings lost running back Bishop Sankey yesterday after the former second-rounder tore his ACL. The team is now searching for replacements, and Chris Tomasson of TwinCities.com reports that the organization will audition a pair of running backs in David Cobb and Bronson Hill.

Signing with the Vikings would be a bit of a homecoming for Cobb, who was a standout at the University of Minnesota. The 2015 fifth-round pick hasn’t shown much consistency during his brief NFL career, compiling 146 yards and one touchdown on 52 career carries. Since being released by the Titans last August, the running back has also had brief stints with the Steelers and Bears.

“It would definitely be a dream come true,” Cobb told Tomasson. “I’m always confident, but it will be up to (the Vikings).”

Meanwhile, Hill has bounced around the NFL since going undrafted out of Eastern Michigan in 2015. He collected 11 rushing yards in three games with the Jaguars last season, and he’s also spent time with the Bills, Bears, Dolphins, Saints, and Bengals.

Of course, despite the Sankey injury, it’d still be an uphill battle for either Cobb or Hill to make the Vikings roster. The team is currently rostering four healthy running backs in Latavius Murray, Dalvin Cook, Jerick McKinnon, and Terrell Newby.

Latest On Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys

August 12th, 2017 at 9:58am CST by Ben Levine

Following reports that Ezekiel Elliott had been suspended for the first six games of the upcoming season, the Cowboys running back released a statement regarding the punishment (via Twitter):

“I am both surprised and disappointed by the NFL’s decision today, and I strongly disagree with the League’s findings.

“I recognize the distraction and disruption that all of this has caused my family, teammates, the Dallas Cowboys organization as well as my fans — for that I am sincerely sorry.

“I admit that I am far from perfect, but I plan to continue to work very hard, on and off the field, to mature and earn the great opportunity that I have been given.”

We learned last night that Elliott was planning on appealing the suspension.

Let’s take a look at some other notes pertaining to the Cowboys and their star running back…

According to ProFootballTalk.com’s Charean Williams, TMZ had obtained eight photos showing bruises on Elliott’s former girlfriend. The photos were part of the evidence used by the NFL during their investigation, and the league confirmed that the pictures were nothing new. Experts said the bruises were consistent with abuse, although Elliott claims his ex-girlfriend suffered the injuries at a bar.
If the suspension ultimately stands, SiriusXM’s Alex Marvez points out (via Twitter) that the Cowboys would owe the NFL $186K “per remittance policy for suspended players.”
Jerry Jones defended Elliott and questioned the league’s investigation throughout the offseason. Now, as CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora writes, the Cowboys owner has some explaining to do. If Jones was actually aware of the extent of the NFL’s evidence and case against Elliott, then the writer believes the owner deserves criticism. On the flip side, if Jones wasn’t aware, his speaking “in such a cavalier fashion without any true indications of what the league was discerning” also isn’t a good look.
Joe Lockhart, the NFL’s top communications chief, discusses Jones’ consistent dismissal of the investigation. “I don’t think we have a comment, one way or the other, on anything that anyone else in this case, that involved in this case or looked at this case, or commented on this case,” he told La Canfora. “I can say that we believe this investigation was thorough, exhaustive and fair to all parties involved.”
USA Today’s A.J. Perez writes about Elliott’s options going forward, referring to the former suspensions for Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice, and Tom Brady.

Saints Sign Jason Jones, John Hughes

August 12th, 2017 at 9:17am CST by Ben Levine

The Saints have busy this morning, adding several names to their roster. According to Nick Underhill of The Advocate (via Twitter), the team has signed defensive end Jason Jones, tight end Braedon Bowman, and defensive tackle John Hughes. In a following tweet, Underhill reports that the Saints have signed defensive back Malik Foreman, while ESPN’s Mike Triplett tweets that the team also added wideout Xavier Rush. Finally, the organization placed defensive tackle Devaroe Lawrence on the injured reserve (via Underhill on Twitter).

Jones, 31, is the most experienced member of that grouping, as the 31-year-old has 109 career games (70 starts) under his belt. After spending the first four seasons of his career with the Titans, the former second-rounder has bounced around a bit, playing for the Seahawks, Lions, and Dolphins. He appeared in 14 games last season with Miami, compiling 22 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

Hughes, a former third-rounder, also has more than 50 career NFL games to his name, although he only appeared in six games last season between the Browns and Buccaneers. His best season came during his rookie campaign in 2012, when he collected 34 tackles and three sacks.

Bowman, a former standout at South Alabama, had brief stints with both the Jaguars and Jets last season. Rush, a former receiver out of Tulane, spent some times with the Eagles last year. Finally, Foreman, a former Tennessee product, recorded three interceptions and 14 passes defended during his four-year college career. The defensive back had reportedly signed with the Texans earlier this offseason, but a neck injury caused both sides to pause.

The Saints added Lawrence back in May, but the undrafted rookie was subsequently placed on the NFI list. The former Auburn player missed the end of his college career after undergoing knee surgery.